Introduction to the Case
When Rosie McGrane arrived in Copenhagen only to find her suitcase missing, she did not anticipate that the pursuit of compensation would extend over two and a half years.
Despite Edinburgh Sheriff Court ordering Ryanair to pay her nearly £4,500 in July last year, Rosie has yet to receive any payment from the airline.
With assistance from her husband Chris, Rosie initiated legal action following months of what she described as "fruitless" emails and complaints.
Ryanair initially did not respond to the court proceedings but has since appealed the decision, arguing that Rosie failed to report the missing luggage upon arrival in Copenhagen—a claim she contests.
Background of the Incident
The incident began on 15 September 2023, when Rosie, a resident of Kilmarnock, flew from Edinburgh to Copenhagen to participate in the city's half marathon.
Describing herself as a "Mrs just-in-case," she had packed extensively for her five-night stay, including running gear, headphones, a tablet computer, and her finest clothes.
"Going away for a trip, you take your good stuff with you," she said.
Upon arrival, Rosie discovered her suitcase was not on the baggage carousel. She and her Danish friend Tina, who had traveled with her, reported the issue to airport staff and the lost property office.
They were informed that Rosie's suitcase had never left Edinburgh but would be delivered to the accommodation within a few days.
Despite losing her technology and clothing, Rosie, aged 56, was most distressed by the loss of her flag.
She had planned to run the Copenhagen half marathon in memory of her brother Derek, continuing her tradition of crossing the finish line carrying the Scottish flag she had made in his honor.
"That was the most valuable thing for me in that case," Rosie said.
Initial Steps and Claim Process
Upon returning, Rosie and Tina went directly to the Ryanair desks where Rosie received a reference number for the lost luggage.
Ryanair subsequently sent her a claim form requiring a detailed list of every item in the suitcase, as well as items purchased in Copenhagen to manage during the trip.
Rosie described the process as taking "days, rather than hours."
The couple struggled to locate receipts for all items, a challenge they noted would be common for most people, especially for goods purchased in-store rather than online.
After a false indication that the suitcase had been found, Chris began emailing Ryanair "twice a week for months" seeking updates, but received none.
By March 2024, five months after submitting the claim form, they filed a complaint regarding the delay.
The reply, received hours later, frustrated Chris, aged 65, who said it made him want to "put the PC out the window."
Ryanair instructed him to submit a claim, the very issue they were complaining about.
When Chris pointed out this contradiction, Ryanair responded that Rosie had completed the wrong form, despite it being the one provided by the airline.
Chris offered to resubmit the form if necessary, but Ryanair did not reply and closed Rosie's case on 3 June.
Legal Action and Court Proceedings
Chris, a retired sheriff clerk, warned Ryanair that if they did not reopen the claim, he would assist Rosie in raising the issue through a simple procedure, a replacement for the small claims court.
Rosie acknowledged she would not have been able to continue without her husband's expertise.
"We are lucky we do have somebody that's got that knowledge, and a bit of time that he can just keep chipping away at it," she said.
In March 2025, nearly 18 months after the trip, Chris initiated a simple procedure at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Rosie's behalf.
Ryanair did not participate in the case, and by July, Rosie was granted a decree.
The court ordered Ryanair to pay £4,425.37 in compensation, a figure calculated by totaling the cost of the items in her suitcase and those purchased to sustain her during the trip.
Challenges in Serving the Decree
However, the matter did not conclude there. The decree needed to be served on Ryanair.
As Ryanair has no official offices within the jurisdiction, sheriff officers attempted to deliver the decree to an employee in person.
Despite Ryanair being one of Edinburgh Airport's largest carriers and operating flights from other Scottish airports including Glasgow and Prestwick, sheriff officers were unable to locate anyone other than subcontractors.
The decree was subsequently sent to Ryanair's head office in Dublin.
On the final possible day in October 2025, Chris was informed that Ryanair had lodged a recall of the decree.
Ryanair's Grounds for Recall and Dispute
Ryanair cited several grounds for the recall, the primary one being their claim that Rosie did not complain upon arrival, which they interpret as "evidence that the baggage was delivered."
Rosie and Tina dispute this, affirming they spoke to airport staff immediately upon arrival and were told the suitcase would follow shortly.
Ryanair also argued it could not be held liable for items that should not have been in checked luggage, such as Rosie's iPad, sports watch, and headphones.
The airline's objections and Rosie's responses are scheduled to be heard by the court on 26 March, nearly two and a half years after her flight.
Ongoing Determination and Legal Context
Despite the prolonged process, Rosie and Chris remain determined to continue, partly due to the Montreal Convention.
This international treaty governs compensation for lost luggage in most countries, including the UK, and imposes 'strict liability' on airlines for lost baggage.
This means that even if a subcontractor caused the loss, the airline itself is responsible.
The convention currently limits compensation to approximately £1,375.
While Rosie may not recover the full value of her suitcase's contents, Chris believes Ryanair's strict liability will ultimately require them to compensate her.
Rosie expressed that although Ryanair is a low-cost airline, customers deserve compensation when issues arise.
"You don't need to expect any more or any less, but you expect to get what you've paid for," she said.
Ryanair's Response
When contacted for comment, Ryanair stated they do not comment on pending legal proceedings.
